What substrate should I use

[Keytal]

Hi guys!

Probably there was discussions about substrate here already but I thought I'd ask you about it as I am having a little problem. Recently I got a few skinks and seems I am not keeping them on the right substrate. I have read on this site that someone used bark coco fiber and top soil's mixture. I tried the same (repti bark, zoo med coco fiber and top soil) cause the exact mixture was working super good for other reptiles of mine but I am having some issues with my skinks. As I am new to skink keeping I am closely monitoring my animals if they do well, checking them every day closely one by one.

I have noticed that the top soil goes into their nose. Not for all but it is definitely a problem. I would like to ask you what kind of substrate you guys use? I read on bluetongueskink.net that carefresh and aspen shavings are the best but aren't they bad for humidity? I mean I have indonesian species so they need the humidity. I am clueless right now, hope you guys can point me to the right direction.

Thank you very much in advance.

[EricaLikeBurrito]

If you are worried about the top soil you can always just use a repti bark and coco bark mix. Cypress mulch is also a good option.

[Piebald320]

I have been wondering the same thing. I have my boy on Eco earth and he almost always has a ring of the stuff around his nostrils! However, I'm not extremely worried because I know he only gets it on there from digging in it by choice! I'd love to hear other's thoughts on whether it could be an issue though.

[splashy07]

I'm with Erica on this one. I've tried everything under the sun and repti-bark and same mixed with coco-husk fiber is my favorite. Aspen is way too dusty and my skinks were constantly sneezing (and so was I).

[Karbon]

Cypress mulch seems to work well for me and my BTS.

The person I bought from recommended it and said it works well for her.

You can get some premium 100% cypress mulch from Lowes and Home Depot for around 3 bucks too.

[Keytal]

Thank you very much for the advice, I will get rid of the soil somehow. Here where I live unfortunately it is almost impossible to get cypress mulch, there is pine everywhere ... I will stick to the reptibark + coco fiber then.

[Janella]

I absolutely swear by Zilla Jungle Mix and then I put Reptibark on top. It holds humidity great and I have not had one single problem with my guys with it.

[Keytal]

I will do the same then

Two more questions regarding substrate:

1.: I use some straw as well so they can burrow into it. It looks cool and the animals look very happy with it. Any suggestion about this or I can go with it as it is.
2.: I was thinking as it is autumn and there are a lot of leafs falling from the trees I could get some so my skinks can burrow into it too. They look great and would be cool for the skinks too. I know getting stuff from outside is dangerous, I always put the stuff I wanna use from outside onto the oven for 30 mins before I use them for my varanus enclosures. Is there any good way to sterilize fallen leafs?

[splashy07]

Probably more trouble than it's worth, I'd think it would be very difficult to keep the cage clean. Most times simple works better than aesthetic with reptiles.

[Keytal]

Alrighty, I will take the advice. Thank you very much!